Due to the evolving outbreak and increased concern of community transmission throughout NSW, a number of border restrictions in Victoria, ACT and Queensland have been put in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The following information details how the recent restrictions apply to the point to point transport industry and to residents of cross border community areas.
NSW/Victoria
- Residents of the NSW-Victoria cross border community area are required to obtain a permit to enter Victoria – including if they are Victorian but can only cross the border for permitted reasons. Only those with a valid authorised workers permit can attend work in Victoria. This means, if you a point to point transport driver who resides in the NSW-Victoria border community area, you must first obtain a valid authorised workers permit before entering Victoria. For more information, visit the Victorian Government website.
NSW/ACT
- The ACT lockdown is in place until 2 September. If you live in one of the approved postcodes you can enter the ACT for essential reasons only under a standing exemption however, you must carry identification with you at all times to prove your residency in one of the approved postcodes. This may be checked at any time by ACT Police.
- If you live outside these postcodes and need to enter the ACT for essential work or healthcare reasons, you will be required to seek an exemption. You can learn more about the ACT restrictions here.
NSW/QLD
- New South Wales border zone residents can only cross the border for an essential purpose and a Queensland entry pass must first be completed.
- Service providers and drivers who live or stay in the cross-border LGAs of New South Wales and Queensland cannot cross the border to provide passenger services. Providing passenger services is not listed as essential work.
- As of Friday 20 August, in addition to a required declaration pass, NSW border residents are not able to enter Queensland without having received their first vaccination.
- Additional restrictions have been put in place for anyone who has been in the New South Wales border zone (Tweed Shire, Kyogle Council, Tenterfield Shire, Inverell Shire, Glen Innes Severn Council, Clarence Valley Council, Richmond Valley Council, City of Lismore, Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Gwydir Shire, Moree Plains Shire, Walgett Shire, Brewarrina Shire, Bourke Shire, and Unincorporated Far West) in the last 14 days or since the identified start date. If you have been in these LGAs you must comply with these increased restrictions.
- For more information, visit the Queensland Government website.
Vaccination – a priority
- The NSW Premier and Chief Health Officer have made it clear that an increase in vaccinations is a priority for NSW more than ever before.
- The Commissioner strongly encourages everyone, but especially members of the point to point transport industry, to get vaccinated. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff.
- You can check your eligibility and book your COVID-19 vaccination on the NSW Government’s COVID-19 website.
- There are walk-in vaccination clinics for the AstraZeneca vaccine and pharmacies are available to administer the vaccination as efficiently as possible. You can also go to a NSW Health vaccination clinic or your local GP – there are many options available.
For those who have received their first vaccination, thank you for taking action towards protecting yourself and the community and make sure to book your second dose. Getting vaccinated will help us keep NSW COVID safe and get back on the road to recovery.
Stay up to date
The Commissioner understands this is a challenging and concerning time for everyone in NSW and that there are a number of new restrictions that impact the point to point transport industry – please remember these restrictions are in place to protect the residents of NSW, including drivers and passengers, and to get the industry back on the road as soon as possible. We will continue to update the Industry as new information regarding restrictions and Public Health Order updates become available.
The Commissioner’s website and COVID-19 updates page provide further information on the stay-at-home rules and restrictions and how they apply to the Industry.